(Wielding The Warhead of Personal Retreats for A Lifestyle of Conquest)
… As the eyes of a servant focus on what his master provides, and as the eyes of a female servant focus on what her mistress provides, so our eyes focus on the LORD our God, until he has mercy on us.
Psalms 123:2 (ISV)
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I stand silently to listen for the one I love, waiting as long as it takes for the Lord to rescue me. For God alone has become my Savior. He alone is my safe place; His wraparound presence always protects me. For He is my champion defender; there’s no risk of failure with God. So why would I let worry paralyze me, even when troubles multiply around me? I am standing in absolute stillness, silent before the one I love, waiting as long as it takes for Him to rescue me. Only God is my Savior, and He will not fail me. For He alone is my safe place. His wraparound presence always protects me as my champion defender.
There’s no risk of failure with God! So why would I let worry paralyze me, even when troubles multiply around me? God’s glory is all around me! His wraparound presence is all I need, for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life-giving strength. Trust only in God every moment! Tell Him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longings to Him. Believe me when I tell you — He will help you!
God said to me once and for all, “All the strength and power you need flow from me!” And again I heard it clearly said, “All the love you need is found in me!”
Psalms 62:1-2; 5-8;11-12 (TPT)
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Hachi: A Dog’s Tale
Hachi is a heartwarming and inspiring film that retells the true story of Hachiko, a loyal Japanese Akita dog. This 2009 version of the movie is set in the U.S. and showcases the incredible bond between Hachiko and his owner, Professor Parker Wilson. Every day, Hachiko accompanies Professor Wilson to the train station before he leaves for work and eagerly awaits his return in the evening. Hachiko’s dependence and loyalty are unwavering, as he faithfully repeats this routine even after the professor’s sudden passing.
The heart of the story lies in Hachiko’s relentless dedication to his absent owner. For years until his own death, “Hachi” (meaning “eight” in Japanese, which in turn signifies new beginnings in Bible numerology) faithfully returns to the train station at the daily set time, waiting for His master to come back. This singular act of consistency, dedication and expectation touches the hearts of the community and captures the attention of passersby. His unwavering devotion and undeniable impact on his community are moving. Viewers witness the power of love and loyalty and their profound ripple effect on others’ lives.
The moral of the story is too obvious to miss – Hachi had irrevocably intertwined his existence and lifestyle to his master’s. His bond with him was so deep and his trust so complete that even when he failed to show up at the set time, Hachi continued to return to wait faithfully and patiently, exhibiting his unwavering loyalty and undeterred expectations.
The reader who rightly connects this concept with the identical sense of dependence and devotion Psalms 123, 62, and other scriptures convey is thus confronted with the stark reality of their personal extent of dependence and devotion to their Master and His purposes. Both the Bible and Hachi’s tale indicate a clear correlation between one’s level of intimacy, expectation, devotion, and dependence with the habit of waiting.
The Hebrew word for “wait” used in these verses means “to bind together intricately and irrevocably” or to “interweave with a strong cord, such as twine.” It connotes an intentional and unbreakable dependence and interconnectivity, founded on the truths stated in Acts 17:25b.
The term in this context is not synonymous with the spiritual act of fasting, even though often confused with it. Waiting connotes the inner attitude of a heart thoroughly dependent upon and in communion with its Maker, poised to receive love, affirmation, empowerment or direction anytime He shows up to give it. It is the dichotomous posture of weakness and strength, meekness and audacity; the third, content to remain in position for as long as it takes, the last, intent and insistent on getting its desired response.
Friend, what does your habit of taking time away to wait on the Lord (or not) reveal about you? Are you satisfied with your assessment and current outcomes? Could this be the missing element for access to your new beginnings, victories, or next phases of an immensely impactful life?
“Wait, I say, on the Lord!”
(Psalms 27:14b)
Teach Me To Wait!
(Reprised from 3/20/22)
The hustle and bustle of the fast lane all know, Is our microwave world running at a pace just too slow! “Instant” this, “jiffy” that – is the timesaver’s bait, In all of life’s briskness Lord, teach me to wait!
Turbo subways outrun buses, taxi timelines mimic planes, Lightning-fast conveyances in a jet-age gone insane! Not a moment, not a minute, nor a millisecond late! In all of life’s frenzy Lord, teach me to wait!
Instant messaging, social media, mobile device man’s best friend, Drive-through services, same-day deliveries, fast-food dinners without end. Cyber-meetings, virtual gatherings, multifarious speed dates, In all life’s frantic beckonings, Lord teach me to wait!
In returning and rest is divine help guaranteed, To gain renewed strength, to His lordship one must cede. Ever-mounting heights and an ever-reposing state, Are the surefire promises to those who will wait.
“Be still and know ……..” is His constant bidding. For in the peace and the quiet, He is gently ridding .. Of all of life’s tyrannical and frenetic estates .. Effecting precision surgery on those who will wait.
“Come away by yourselves and rest for a while” Is His invitation full of promise, and void of all guile. Pronouncing His desire to fill and satiate .. The hungry soul retreating to seek and to wait.
He is not in the wind, the earthquake, or fire. To attune to His voice, one must ascend higher and higher .. Through lush pastures green – communion’s sweet gate .. Access exclusively granted to those who will wait.
So, in the cacophony of everyday living, May I learn the art of continually giving .. All I am, all I have – the entirety of my existential fate .. To the God Whose I am, and on Whom I wait.
(Based on Isaiah 30:15; Psalm 46:10; Mark 6:31; 1 Kings 19:11-12; Psalm 23:2; 62:1; 130:5)
For Your Retreating & Waiting Pleasure
People of Your Presence (Dunsin Oyekan)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=OpuudY7DFNA&feature=share
All Honor (Ron Kenoly)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=VadRWhN1fWs&feature=share
I Don’t Mind Waiting (Juanita Bynum)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=C_lJx2mW0o4&feature=share
I Will Wait For You (Juanita Bynum)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Q13vF_FC-HU&feature=share
Above All Else (Juanita Bynum)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=T_DOt7FQRcY&feature=share
Wait On You (D. Bowie/C. Moore/Elevation/Mav City)
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=K3TYG7Q_fj4&feature=share